Plant for storing explosive liquids.



Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

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. W. HEER. PLANT FOR STORING EXPLOSIVE LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. 1907.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

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MEN/Gases HEER. PLANT FOR STORING EXPLOSIVE LIQUIDS.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 5. 1907.

Patented Jan. 1mm.

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m a m. A 1 [.0 z b 9 ,w. w I 9 My, 0 Q 2 m .[nverzior W. .HEER. PLANTFORISTORING EXPLOSIVE LIQUIDS. APPLICATION IILEIQ NOV. 5. 1907.

Patented Jan. 11, 1-910.

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w. HEER. PLANT FOR. STORING EXPLOSIVE LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, 1907.

946,041 I I Patented Jan.11,1910.

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eases 71 I fnv W. HEERI PLANT FOR STORING EXPLOSIVB LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, 1907.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

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74% $71) as s as caravan ans manna tunic WILHELM HEER, OIE BOCHUM,GEBMAN Y.

PLANT FLOR STORING EXPLOSIVE LIQUIDS.

Application filed November 5, 1907. Serial No. 400,841.

storing explosive liquids in tanks placedv underground, so that theliquids are protected against explosions, fireand lightning. Theinvention relates more particularly to improved means for withdrawingany de-v sired quantity of the stored liquid without ex )osin" the stora'e'tank to an ressure.-

In this way leakage of the tank is prevented, so that troublesome andexpensive repairs of the same are obviated. a

The invention further comprises novel means for readily discharging thecontents of the supply barrels into the main tank.

Briefly stated, the explosive liquid stored in the main tank is firstallowed to flow into and fill a number of auxiliary tanks arranged at alower level than the main tank and containing an inert protective gas,such as carbonic acid gas. From the auxiliary tanks the liquid isconveyed, by a suitable pressure medium, to the discharge faucetsarranged overground, the return of the liquid from the auxiliary tanksinto the main tank being prevented by suitable back pressure valves.While filling the auxiliary tanks, the liquid withdrawn from the maintank will be replaced bythe carbonic acid forced out of the fornier bythe entering liquid. The necessary connections between the main tank,the auxiliary. tanks" and the discharge faucets at the different stagesof the operation are established by means of a pair of pistons which areoperated by compressed air. In order to insure the siphonic flow of theliquid from the supply barrel into the storage tank, the connecting pipeis at its highest point providedwith a valve which closes automatically-when a barrel is emptied, and thus maintains the contents of thedischarge pipe suspended, so that the siphonic action is automaticallyrestarted when a new barrel is coupled to the valve.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation, partly insection, of the upper -part of my improved liquid storage plant; Fig. 2a similar view of the lower partthereof; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectionthrough the liquid distributing means; Fig.

' 33 of rod 31.

4 a similar view, showing the parts in a different position; Fig. 5 asection on line 55, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a verticalsection through thesiphon-valve; Fig. 6 a detail of part of Fig. 6; Fig. 7 a cross sectionon line 77, Fig. 6; Fig. 8 an axial section through the dischargefaucet; Fig. 9 a side view thereof;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 31,111, 111, 1191 11),

Fig. 10 a cross -section on line 1010, Fig.

3, and Fig. 11 a diagram, showing the various tanks and other devices,together with their connections.

The numeral lindicates a main tank arranged underground and adapted tobe filled with the explosive liquid to be stored. Tank 1 connnun'icatesby pipe 2 with a cross pipe'3 which is, in turn, by branches 4, havingback pressure valves 5, connected to the upper heads of a number ofauxiliary tanks or cylinders 6 mounted in a cellar 7, so as to bereadily accessible for repairs, etc. The several cylinders 6 arepreferably of different predetermined capacities, so that inemptying thecylinders, different measured quantities of the liquidare discharged.

Within cylinders-6 are slidable plungers 8 which may be moved upward bya suitable pressure'medium supplied'through pipes 9, so as to force theliquid above said pistons through pipes 10 into the distributing devicehereafter more fully described. Pipes 10 are inclosed in casings 37mountedupon upper rims 36 of cylinders 6, casings 37 extending upward toabout the liquid level in tank 1, so that any liquid accidentallyleaking through pipes 10 is gathered within such casings.

The distributing apparatus consists essentially of a double cylindercomprising a pair of vertically alined single cylinders 12 connected bya neck 30. Lower cylinder 12 contains a' piston 13, while within uppercylinder 12 plays piston 14. Pistons 13 and 14 are connected by a rod 31passing through neck 30, a slight clearance being provided between rodand neck. Into the neck are tapped a suitable number of screws 32engaging corresponding longitudinal grooves Piston 13 has a lower stem19 provided with a transverse bore 20, and adapted to be reciprocatedwithin a tubular casing 17 depending from lower cylinder 12'. To casing17 are coupled a pair of pipes 21,22, and a pressure pipe 9. Piston 14has an upwardlyextending stem 24 guided in a casing 18 secured to uppercylinder 12. T o casing 18 are coupled the pipes 10 communicating withcylinders 6, and also a pair of pipes 29 and 11 leading to a carbonicacid ask 58 and to the main tank 1, respectively. At right angles to thepipes described, there are connected to casing 18 a number of pipes 25,communicating with the discharge faucets hereafter described. @ppositepipes there are connected to casing 18, three pipes 26 opening into acommon chamber 27.

The upper end of the latter is in turn connected to the casing and maycommunicate 43, while extension 44 inclosing a valve 45 and with througha transverse bore 28 of stem 24 w1th pipe 11, and consequently with maintank 1, 1f the stem occupies the proper position. Additional bores 23 ofstem 24 are adapted to establish temporary communication between thecooperating pipes 10 and 26.

The desired movement of istons 13, 14, and stems 19, 24, is efi'ected ycompressed air admitted into lower and upper cylinders 12, through pipes15, 16, respectively. Cylinders 12 are connected to each other by a duct24 which is closed by a valve 35 during a charging nozzle or elbowadapted for the introduction of liquid when starting the apparatus.Valve 45 isnormally closed by a suitable spring, but is automaticallyopened b the protruding head of pipe 40 when suc pipe is coupled tohousing 43.

'At its bottom, housing 43 is provided with a similar extension 57containin spring-influenced valve 56. Valve 47 is normally presseddownward by spring 49, and has a stem 46 which passes outward throughasuitable stutling box and is pivotally connected to a hand-lever 48.Housing 43 contains a float 52 which is'connected to anglelevers 53 and54 in any suitable manner. The latter are'connected to a bolt 51, a nose51 of which. supports a pin 50 of stem 46 when the device is inoperation. A pipe 40 connects the valve-controlled outlet of housing 43with tank 1.

Next to the'overground discharge faucets is arranged a pressure gage59.,the tube 61 of which communicates with a bell 60 mounted upon thebottom of tank 1. A treadle 63 is adapted to control the three-way cocks75 and 7 6 of pi. cs 15 and 16,respectively. The dischar e aucetcomprises a housing 62 into which opens pipe 25 inclosed for somedistance within a pipe 710i? larger diameter,

such pipe being connected to the top of main tank 1 and being providedwith a valve 25?.

Discharge spout 64 is controlled by a valve 65 having stem 67 whichpasses through a suitable stu'liing box 66 of housing 62. To valve 65 isconnected a pair of guide plates 73 carrying annular valve. 74 which isadapted to close the annular space between tubes 71 and 25 againsthousing 62, so that the carbonic acid contained in tank 1, above itsliquid level, is prevented from entering the housing when valve 65 isolf its seat. The outer end of stem 67 is engaged by a hand-lever 7 0pivoted at 69, while aspring 68 encircling stem 67 tends to maintainvalve 65 in its closed position.

The operation is as follows: Valve 47 is closed and housing 43 isfilled, through. elbow 55, with the liquid for which the apparatus isdesigned, whereupon pipes 40 and 41 .are connected with the housing.Valve 47 is now opened by lifting handle 48, so that the liquidcontained within housing 43 will rush downward through pipe 40 into maintank 1 to press the gas at the top of the latter through pipes 42, 41into barrel 38. The piston-like action of the liquid column descendingthrough pipe 40 produces a corresponding vacuum in pipes 40, 39 whichthus starts the siphonic action desired, so that the liquid willcontinuously flow from barrel 38 into tank 1. During this operation,float 52 remains in its raised position and maintains stem 46 andconsequently valve 47 locked in their uppermost position, by theengagement of bolt 50 with nose 51. After all the liquid has beenwithdrawn from barrel 38, the liquid level in housing 43 will fall tocorrespondingly lower float 52. This downward movement of float 52 will,by levers 53, 54, cause bolt 50 to be withdrawn from nose 51', so as topermit spring 49 to immediately close valve 47. In this way theconnection between the barrel and main tank is automatically interruptedwhen the barrel is emp' tied, while by immediately closing valve 47, theliquid column contained in pipe 40 will be prevented from flowing out ofthe same. Consequently the siphonic action of pipes 40, 40, may berestarted without difficulty, when a new supply barrel has been properlyconnected with pipes 40, 41, so as to insure the proper discharge ofsaid barreliuto main tank 1. 'From tank 1 the liquid flows through pipes2, 3 and 4, into cylinder 6 and pipes 10,

until the liquid assumes the same level in tank 1, cylinders 6 and pipes10. As the pipes are inclosed within casings 37, any loss of theexplosive liquid is avoided in case of leakage.- It is preferred to fillcasings 37 partly with an incombustible liquid, such as glycerin, so asto prevent the explosive liquid rom escaping. In this way the latterisalso prevented from freezing, whichis very important with certainliquids, such as'benzol. While 0 linders 6 are thus filled, the pistonsof the istributing mechanism are in their raised position, (Fig. 3), sothat the. inert gas contained within cylinders 6 will fiow through pipes10, ducts 23, couplings 26,

chamber 27, duct 28 and pipe 11, into main.

tank 1. Treadle 63 is now depressed, so that air under pressure willenter pipe 16 to lower piston 14., while the air below piston 13 willescape through pipe 15 and threesway cock 75. The parts will thus assumethe position through its pipe 10, duct 23 and pipe 25, to

be finally discharged through spout 64.

It may here be stated that the valves 65 and controlling the liquiddischarge from one cylinder, must simultaneously be opened and closed,for which purpose they. may be coupled in any suitable manner, (notshown).

After plunger 8 has arrived in its uppermost position, the flow of theliquid will stop, and as the cylinder 6 has a known capacity, thedischarged quantity of the liquid has been properly measured. Theremaining cylinders 6 may now be discharged in like manner.

After one or all of the cylinders have been emptied, treadle 63 is againdepressed, so that the compressed air above piston 14 may escape throughpipe 16 and three-way cock 7 6, while air under pressure is admittedthrough pipe 15 into cylinder 12 below piston 13. Pistons 13 and 14 willthus ascend, so that duct 20 will establish communication betweencompressed air pipe 9 and discharge pipe 22, while, simultaneously,ducts 23 connect pipes 10 with chamber '27 which, in turn, has beentemporarily connected with carbonic acid flask 58 through duct 28 andpipe 29. In this way plunger or plungers 8 may descend, as thecompressed air escapes from pipe 9 through pipe 22, while the carbonicacid gas fills cylinders 6 above plungcrs 8. The latter descend by theirown weight, which may be assisted by a slight over- )ressure of thecarbonic acid gas. After p1stons13, 14 have reached their uppermostposition, the carbonic acid gas pipe '29 has again been disconnectedfrom chamber 27, (Fig. 3), so that the tank, the cylinders and pipeswhich are not completely filled with the explosive liquid, contain abovesaid liquid, the inert gas, either without any pressure or with a slightover-pressure. After pistons 13, 14, and stems 19, 24, have thus reachedtheir raised position, the pressure in cylinders 6 and tank 1 isequalized by connecting them with each other through, pipes 10, ducts23, pipes 26, chamber 27, duct 28 and pipe 11. In this way the liquidcontained in tank 1 will flow into cylinders 6 and pipes 10, until thesame liquid level has been obtained.

The fact that while stem 24 descends, co1nmunication is reestablishedbetween carbonic acid flask 58 and chamber 27 is of no consequence, asall the empty spaces in tank, cylinders, etc., are under the samepressure.

Although the upward motion of the pistons requires some time, means areprovided which insure all empty spaces of the apparatus to be properlyfilled with carbonic acid gas while duct 28' passes pipe 29. For thispurpose pistons 13, 14, are provided with a liquid braketo retard theirmovement, the space between said pistons being filled with a slowflowing liquid, such as glycerin. 'During the ascent of pistons 13,

14, the glycerin must pass from lower cylinder 12 throu h the narrowgrooves 33 into the upper cy inder 12. By properly setting screws32, thespeed of the ascending pistons may be readily adjusted. As the retardedmovement of pistons 13, 14 is required only during their ascent, whiletheir descent may take place as rapidly as possiblefthe separate duct34, controlled by spring-infiuenced ball valve 35, has been providedbetween the upper and lower cylinders 12. During the upward movement ofpistons 13, 14.. valve 35 will close duct 34, Fig. 4), so

that the glycerin must pass through grooves 33. When the pistonsdescend, the pressure ofthe glycerin will overcome the action of thespring influencing valve 35, so that the liquid is free to'pass fromupper cylinder 12', through duct 34, into the lower cylinder without anyserious resistance. As it is difficult to procure a simultaneousoperation of the discharge faucet and the treadle, and as,

even after cutting ofl the compressedair at the proper time, said mediumwillfurther expand to force theliquid through small leaks of the faucet,the latter is constructed as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

As previously described, the depression of treadle 63 causes the descentof pluugers 13, 14, so as to establish communication between pipes airbelow pistons 8 through pipe 21, duct 20 and pipe 9. Simultaneously withor shortly after said depression of treadle 63, lever 7 0 is depressedto open valve 65, so that the liquid is discharged from pipe 25 throughspout 64. Lever 70 being then released, spring 68will seat valve 65,simultaneously lifting annular valve 74 oft its seat to connect pipe 71with casing 62. The liquid discharged from pipe 25 will thus enter pipe71 to be returned to main tank 1. When liquid is subsequently drawn oft,2'. 0., when valve 65 is opened, valve 74 is simultaneously closed toprevent the liquid leaving pipe 25 10 and 25, and to admit compressedthen connect cylinders 6 'e., after communication has been estab-'lished between the upper part oftank 1 and one or more cylinders 6, theliquid rushes in a solid stream from tank; 1 into cylinders 6, andpresses the carbonic acid gas from the latter into the former. As theipes lOand 11 are of comparatively small pressure equalization will. nottake place immediately, but in cylinders 6 the carbonic acid gas will becompressed, while an under pressure will take place in tank 1, The gagepointer will thus show a considerable deviation. After the flow of theliquid has ceased, z. (2., after the same li uid level has been producedin tank 1., cy inders G and pipes 10, equilibrium will be reestablished.The hand will thus gradually move back toward its previous position, butwill stop at such a distance from the latter as corresponds to-the fallof the liquid level in tank 1. It is obvious that the deviation of thepointer produced by the reduction of pressure within tank 1,, will farexceed the difference between the original and subsequent position ofthe pointer caused by the decrease in height of the liquid column intank 1, so that the attendant, in observing the gage, may readilascertain when the operation of filling cy inders (3 has been completed.In other words, the attendant will observe, during the filling period ofcylinders 6, that the pointer of gage-59 will first be considerablydeviated from its original position, but will gradually return towardthe same, to finally come to rest at such a distance therefrom ascorresponds to the fall of the liquid level in tank 1. When the pointerthus comes'to a standstill, the attendant will know that the flow of theliquid has ceased and that the cylinder has been properly filled. He maywith discharge pipes 25.

The operation described is rendered possible by the fact that a uniformpressure is maintained in pipe 29, so that the quantity of carbonic acidgasentering tank 1., equals exactly the quantity of liquid withdrawntherefrom, the pressure of the carbonic acid gas in tank 1. being thesame before and after the withdrawal of liquid therefrom. The samepressure of the carbonic acid gas is thus maintained throughout theoperation of the apparatus, and the gage pointer will follow the fall ofthe liquid level in tank 1. The flow of the carbonic acid gas will thusinfluence the pointer only while filling the cylinders, upon thecompletion of which operation the position of the pointer is determinedby the height of the liquid level in tank 1.

iametcr, the

r i It will be seen that by my invention. any

means for dischargmg part of the liquid from the main tank'into theauxiliary tank, means for simultaneously conveying the gas from theauxiliary tank to the main tank, and a discharge faucet arrangedoverground and communicating with the auxiliary tank.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a main tank arrangedunderground and adapted to contain a liquid, an auxiliary tank adaptedto contain a gas, means for discharging part of the liquid from the maintank into the auxiliary tank, means for simultaneously conveying the gasfrom the auxiliary tank to the main tank, a discharge faucetarranged'overground and communicating with the auxiliary tank, and meansfor forcing the liquid from the auxiliary tank to the discharge faucetwith a pressure independent from that in the main tank.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a main tank adaptedto contain a liquid, an auxiliary tank arranged below the main tank, aplunger inclosed within the auxiliary tank, means for connecting themain tank to the auxiliary tank above said piston, and means for raisingthe piston, substantially as specified.

4. In a device of the character described, an auxiliary tank, a plungerinclosed therein, a double cylinder, pistons inclosed therein, meanscontrolled by said pistons for admitting a pressure medium, into theauxiliary tank below the plunger, and means also controlled by thepistons for subsequently discharging the pressure medium from theauxiliary tank, substantially as specified.

5. In a device of the character described, an auxiliary tank having aplunger and adapted to contain a liquid above the plunger, a doublecylinder, pistons inclosed therein, first means controlled by saidpistons for admitting a pressure medium into the auxiliary tank belowthe plunger to raise the plunger and thereby discharge the liquid fromthe tank, second means controlled by the pistons for subsequentlydischarging the pressure medium from the auxiliary tank to permit theplunger to descend, and third means also controlled by the pistons foradmitting an indifferent gas into the tank above the plunger,substantially as specified.

6. In a device of the character described, a main tank, an auxiliarytank, a pair of cylinders, a neck connectin the same, pistons containedin the cylin ers and controlling communication between the main tank andauxiliary tank, a rod connecting the pistons and passing throughtheneck, a liquid intermediate the pistons, and means on the neck forcontrolling'the flow of said liquid, substantially as specified.

7. A device of thecharacter described, comprising a main tank, a supplybarrel, a liquid pipe and agas pipe connecting the tank and barrel, aValve-controlled housing communicating with the liquid pipe and providedwith means for starting a siphonic flow of the liquid from the barrelinto the tank, and means for automatically closing the valve'when thebarrel is emptied, substantially as specified.

8. In a device of the character described, a main tank adapted tocontain a liquid, an auxiliary tank adapted to communicate with the maintank, a discharge faucet adapted to communicate with the auxiliary tank,and a liquid return .pipe connecting the faucet a main tank, anauxiliary tank, a discharge faucet communicating with the auxiliary tankand having a discharge nozzle, a first valve controllin said nozzle, areturn pipe connecting the Iaucet with the main tank, and a second valveconnected to the first valve and controlling said pipe, substantially asspecified.

Signed by me at Dusseldorf, Germany this twenty second day of October1907.

WILHELM HEER.

Witnesses:

WILHELM FLASCHE, CLEMENS HICKMANN.

